This was assured by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who explained that according to the guideline the release shall start not earlier than Dec. 14. However, the incentive could not also be released on the 15th because it’s a weekend.

The mayor said job hires will have a 10-day extended duty during the holiday except on Dec. 25 to give them chance to earn additional salary.

Under the law, job hires are not entitled to benefits such as the PEI, which is being enjoyed by regular plantilla employees.

On the other hand, Mabilog said that the city government will distribute the cost of living allowance (COLA) of elementary and secondary public schools under the Division of Iloilo City, members of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and judges at the Metropolitan Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) once the release of PEIs is completed.

The incentive covers the third and fourth quarter COLA of teachers and employees while the cash division of the City Treasurers Office is yet to determine coverage for judges.

Teachers and policemen are allotted P3,600 COLA per quarter while judges receive P1,000 per month. (PNA)